Story by Michele Fuller | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
When my husband Brad and I first embarked on this journey to build the National Professional Fishing League, I struggled with imposter syndrome. Questions loomed: Do we truly belong? Will anyone take us seriously? Will we last?
In the beginning I paid close attention to every piece of feedback—positive and negative—that we received. Unfortunately, most of it leaned towards the latter. Four years later, I still listen but have learned to take much of it with a proverbial grain of salt.
I remember listening to a podcast featuring a professional angler and his wife. They essentially said that if fishing doesn’t pay your bills, you aren’t a professional. This only fueled my imposter syndrome, especially since I didn’t think anyone fishing with us was making their living solely from fishing.
After four seasons, I’ve come to understand what being a professional angler really means. First and foremost, professionalism isn’t about whether fishing pays your bills. It’s about a set of core principles.
Being professional means standing up and speaking out when something doesn’t align with your or your organization’s standards. It’s about addressing issues directly, not spreading gossip or discussing problems behind people’s backs.
Communication is another key aspect of professionalism. This involves not just articulating your thoughts clearly but also listening to and considering others’ perspectives, even if they differ from your own.
Organization is crucial as well. A professional angler needs to be prepared—having all the gear ready, ensuring everything is in working order, and being equipped for changing conditions. Sometimes it’s as simple and basic as knowing your boat number and check-in time.
Finally, professionalism means being trustworthy and reliable. If you commit to an organization, you follow through, regardless of the outcome. And if you can’t fulfill that commitment, you take responsibility and make it right.
In essence, being a professional angler is about more than just financial success. It’s about embodying integrity, preparedness, and dedication. These core principles are nothing more than what we should do in our everyday lives…regardless of our “profession.”
